AMARYLLiS TRIBE 279 



amoimts to the enormous quantity of eleven millions of gallons, 

 and a considerable revenue is derived from its sale by Government. 

 The plant attains maturity in a period varying from eight to four- 

 teen years, when it flowers, and it is during the stage of flowering 

 alone that the juice is extracted. The central stem, which encloses 

 the flower-bud, is then cut off near the bottom, and a cavity or 

 basin is discovered, over which the leaves are drawn close and 

 tied. Into this reservoir the juice distils, which otherwise would 

 have risen to nourish and support the flower. It is removed three 

 or four times during the twenty-four hours, yielding a quantity of 

 liquor, varying from a quart to a gallon and a half. The juice is 

 extracted by means of a syphon, made of a species of gourd, and 

 deposited in bowls. It is then placed in earthen jars, and a little 

 old pulque is added, when it soon ferments, and is immediately 

 ready for use. The fermentation occupies two or three days, and 

 when it ceases it is in fine order. Old pulque has an unpleasant 

 odour, which has been compared to that of putrid meat ; but 

 when fresh it is brisk and sparkling. In time even Europeans 

 prefer it to any other liquor. This Agave is popularly known in 

 England by the name of American Aloe. It grows but slowly in 

 this climate, and, as it rarely attains perfection, it is believed by 

 many people to flower once in a hundred years. The roots and 

 leaves of the species of Agave contain woody fibre {pita thread), 

 useful for various purposes ; this is prepared by bruising and 

 steeping in water, and afterwards beating. The Mexicans also 

 make their paper of the fibres of Agave leaves, laid in layers. The 

 expressed juice of the leaves is also stated to be useful as a substi- 

 tute for soap. 



1. Narcissus (Daffodil). — Perianth tubular at the base, ter- 

 minating in a bell-shaped cromi or nectary, which has 6 equal sepals 

 and petals at its base. (Named after Narcissus, a fabulous youth, 

 said to have been changed into a flower.) 



2. Galanthus (Snowdrop). — Perianth bell-shaped; sepals 3 

 (white), spreading ; petals 3, erect, notclied. (Name in Greek 

 signifying " milk-flower.") 



3. Leucojum (Snow-flake). — Perianth bell-shaped, of 6 equal 

 sepals and petals., which are thickened at the point. (Name in 

 Greek signifying " a white violet.") 



I. Narctssus {Daffodil) 



I. N. pseudo-narcissus (Common Daffodil, Lent Lily). — Flower- 

 stalk hollow, 2-edged, bearing near its s"ummit a membranous 

 sheath and a single flower ; nectary notched and curled at the margin, 

 as long as the sepals and petals. One of our most beautiful .spring 



